As a woman, I recognize that the rights given to us today are not the same as our foremothers had. I am grateful for those who preceded us, bringing equal voting and property rights. The feminists in the early part of the century gave me the right to vote, survive independently, be a part of the military, and be on a varsity team. Your article “Today’s Feminism is Hypocracy” implies that feminism has failed. All those political rallies for equality in society with regard to sports, recreation, workplace, and sexuality were for naught. What you disregarded are the leaps and bounds we have come with equality. Your mother and grandmother will tell you their only job options: a secretary, a phone operator, a teacher, or a nurse. I have higher dreams and aspirations because of these women. Women and sports do not always revolve around sex, as you claim. The Williams sisters and Marion Jones are 3 talented women who are respected as athletes, instead of just sex symbols. U of R women athletes similarly strive for excellence without sacrificing their dignity.Furthermore, the women’s rights movement empowered women as sexual beings to embrace being a woman and granted them a chance to end the double standards society holds for females. Still these double standards linger. This justifies why feminism continues to exist.Women who respect their bodies wear attire that reflects such, and vice versa. I will not deny another woman the right to wear a halter, miniskirt and stiletto heels if she so desires. Have you considered that she may wear it for herself and not you? Women may not necessarily want full equality with men, but rather equal opportunity: the opportunity to possess every right a man has, even if we don’t take advantage of these rights. I do not want to be a football quarterback. This does not eliminate my belief other women should be given the opportunity to become one.I do not consider myself a “feminist” because of the negative connotation it has developed in recent years. I do, however, support the rights the Constitution grants to all people, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, or religion. This is the basis of true feminism: to grant equality to the 51% of the American population who has been discriminated against since before 1776.
Allison EastonClass of 2006(273-2527)**please do not publish my phone number.
